A month later after rigorous training Naruto and Sakura set out with Kakashi and Gai to rescue Itachi from Akatsuki, while Sasuke was stuck back at the house to help keep an eye on things and the soon to be black/green mamba hatchlings.
"You both know the plan right…we get to the inactive Akatsuki hideout, use the hand signs we were shown and set up a trap for Itachi, Sakura will deal with the informant, Naruto it's your job to act like bait, don't worry we'll get you out in time" Kakashi asked.
Once they'd already started down the path away from Konohagakure "Of course Kakashi-sensei, though he won't be to happy to see me at least this mission will only last for a couple of days" Sakura nodded seriously.
Not to keen on meeting Itachi again either but she could give the guy a chance "True enough and I know you won't let anything happen Kakashi-sensei" Naruto grimaced, before putting on his bravest face yet.
"May I ask how you managed to convince this Hidan person to spy for us, also I'd like to apologize for the way my youthful student treated you before" Gai questioned, the only one who didn't know the whole explanation.
Sakura waved him off "It should be Tenten-san's responsibility to apologize Gai-sensei so don't worry about it and a couple months ago when we were passing through to escort the Kazekage and his shinobi back, Hidan approached me so that's how" Sakura explained.
Gai nodded in understanding and asked no more as they walked in the direction of River Country, it took them the entirety of the morning to "So now what Kakashi my eternal rival, where is this hideout that Akatsuki has around here" Gai asked when they stopped for lunch on the border.
Kakashi scoured the map Sakura had drawn, scanned his surroundings then pointed "Four miles in that direction and we'll come upon a waterfall, Hidan said he'd be able to lure Itachi out here tomorrow right Sakura" Kakashi informed.
Eyeing Sakura who nodded "Good then that will also give us plenty of time to set up traps and whatnot to help us catch Sasuke's big brother" Naruto exclaimed around a mouthful of garlic and lemon pasted cooked rabbit.
Prompting Sakura to slant him a look that had him swallowing his bite as manners dictated "Lets go then" Kakashi declared once lunch was devoured, so they packed up and headed towards the stated rendezvous point.
A giant cave hidden behind a waterfall only accessed by certain hand signs that Sakura weaved with a furrowed brow of concentration until the boulder raised allowing them entrance into the large cavern.
Within they began laying a variety of traps "You know what I think I'll place this one to" Sakura mused to herself as she pulled out her special net then buried it towards the back and made sure it could be sprung by someone simply stepping on it.
"That's good thinking Sakura" Gai gave her a thumbs up, teeth sparkling as an illusion of the setting sun blared behind him, Sakura grimaced a smile back at him, extremely uncomfortable with the eccentric Jonin.
The four of them worked hard over the next five hours, making sure every inch of the cavern had a trap just waiting to be set off on the unsuspecting person "Well I think we've got it pretty well covered at this point" Kakashi chuckled.
Seeing as how there was no placed left to put anymore traps "Hehe maybe we went overboard a little bit" Sakura snickered, then again every single trap might be used as well, this was Itachi Uchiha they were talking about.
"Since we're done however does that mean we can sit back and relax for a bit, have dinner to cause I'm starving" Naruto grinned, stomach rumbling loudly to accentuate his statement of being hungry until Sakura rolled her eyes and disappeared from the cave to hunt.
While the rest of them made camp outside the cave away from the waterfall "Do you really think this will work though Kakashi, you've already been caught in Itachi's Tsukuyomi once, whose to say that his real partner won't be with them" Gai frowned.
Becoming unsure about this whole rescue Itachi operation all of a sudden "Gai-sensei have a little faith, Hidan-san said it would just be him and Itachi-san tomorrow, everyone else was assigned missions to collect funds for the organization including Hoshigaki" Sakura informed.
Returning after the last several minutes of being gone searching for something to catch "Hold on a minute, Kakashi-sensei when were you caught in his sharingan you never mentioned anything like that to us" Naruto burst out suddenly.
Frowning deeply at his sensei who held up his hands to placate him until Sakura joined in "It was right after you left to go find Lady Tsunade, he came and we fought I was stuck in bed for a couple of weeks that's all so don't worry so much you two" Kakashi assured.
Gently ruffling their hair knowing they were just worried about him "Aww I wish my youthful students would get all concerned over me sometimes" Gai cried, having found the moment rather endearing and while feeling slightly envious that his eternal rival got all the luck.
Kakashi coughed and avoided Naruto and Sakura's mischievous smiles until Sakura got started on making dinner for the four of them, it was glorious that night boosting their spirits to keep them faithful that they would succeed on their mission tomorrow.
Not long after everyone crawled into their bedrolls after putting out the fire because they didn't want to draw unnecessary attention onto themselves ahead of time, their breathing evened out as they slept the whole night through.
The next morning once they'd had a quick breakfast courtesy Sakura, it was time to start putting the plan in motion "Alright Gai with me, Sakura find a spot to wait for Hidan, and Naruto stay calm" Kakashi instructed.
And so with Gai on his heels they went inside the cave behind the waterfall again leaving Naruto sat in their camp alone as Sakura had hidden herself in a tree "This really sucks" Naruto sulked to himself, hating the waiting game more than anyone.
Even if he knew that it was important this time "Perhaps Naruto, and you might get thrown into more situations like this one if we want to take down the rest of Akatsuki to ensure your safety, but just remember things could be worse" Sakura reminded from whichever tree she was in.
Making him sigh and wish he had Shisha with him, then a familiar chakra flared in his senses, and it was moving quickly towards his position "What did I tell you weasel bastard despite the threat they still sent their jinchuuriki out on a mission on his lonesome" Hidan smirked.
When they walked through the bushes, Naruto could tell however that Hidan was searching the trees for Sakura as his pink eyes scanned them extremely carefully without his companion noticing what he was doing.
"Indeed you were Hidan, everyone was dubious when the information came from you but it seems this time your information was accurate" Itachi nodded, onyx eyes focusing on the blonde in the small clearing.
Naruto held his breath waiting and when the Uchiha took a single step towards him Sakura launched herself out of the tree at Hidan "Guess again bastards" Sakura snarled, swinging her scythe at the only other immortal in existence.
Hidan cursed vulgarly "Take the brat and run for the cave weasel bastard I've got this bitch handled" the silver haired Jashinist snapped when Sakura slammed full force into him knocking him to the ground.
Before flipping Sakura off of him, Itachi frowned, snatched Naruto underneath his arm and headed for the cave leaving Hidan behind as the ground shuddered beneath his feet until he reached the waterfall and started weaving hand signs.
Upon Itachi departure Hidan disengaged "Okay bitch this is how things have got to go, you have to really fuck me up or this whole jashin damned operation of yours will fail and that bastard of a leader will figure out I'm a spy" Hidan sneered.
Absolutely loathing the girl in front of him "Don't take our gods name in vain Hidan, but that's just fine with me" Sakura scowled, lunging in that same instance, pink eyes widened just before he felt the impact of her scythe.
As it sliced deep into his flesh "Hold on I thought that was tri-bladed a moment ago where'd the other one go bitch" Hidan hissed, for once without curse words as he took in the single bladed scythe that Sakura was now wielding and wondering when he'd missed her switching weapons.
Sakura smirked "This is that scythe Hidan I just detached two of the blades as it was custom made to do" Sakura taunted, circling around Hidan and it looked like he was taking her seriously as he charged her in the next moment.
"Bitch you owe me and the next time we meet you better have one of those scythes for me got it" Hidan whispered his demand when he was within range their scythes locking and they struggled against each other trying to knock the other back.
The girl nodded "Can do but now it's time to end our little game Hidan" Sakura declared, leaping back unexpectedly causing him to start falling and with a swing of her scythe, his head was cut clean off his body.
"Jashin damned bitch that fucking hurt couldn't have just cut off an arm or something no you had to cut off my fucking head and now that fucker Kakuzu has to sew it back on again and he's going to be in such a shitty mood that he had to come help me" Hidan complained loudly.
A fuscia brow quirked down at him "Well you did say make it believable, but on that note I have a mission to complete so see ya" Sakura reminded, then waved and vanished, shaking her head at Hidan's vulgarity as he yelled curse words at her fleeing back.
Until she couldn't hear him anymore and was at the waterfall, the boulder was raised and she could hear fighting going on inside, when Sakura looked she found Naruto still held under Itachi's arm while Kakashi and Gai tried to maneuver the Uchiha to the corner.
Where her net was so she simply unhooked her scythe and pressed the button to extend it, catching Itachi off guard for the second time as it slammed into him, causing him both to release Naruto and skid towards the corner.
Just a step more and it would be sprung on him "Take Naruto and get out of here" Kakashi ordered, rushing Itachi with Gai on his heels, Sakura yanked Naruto towards her and they escaped the cave at their sensei's demands.
"No more places left to run Itachi" Gai announced as they crowded him, Itachi's facial expression didn't change an ounce that was until he took a step back to create room and found himself stuck in a net of some sort.
Kakashi was quick as he clasped chakra suppression cuffs to his wrists and called out to Sakura "Is it over did we catch him" Naruto asked, once they were back inside after five minutes had gone by since they'd been told to leave.
Their sensei nodded "Hidan what did you do to him" Itachi questioned Sakura, since she was the last person to see the silver haired man in question, the rosette grinned and fiddled with her scythe before answering properly.
"Well I cut off his head, I assure you he's just fine Gai-sensei that won't kill him after all, in fact last I heard he was still yelling profanities" Sakura admitted, soothing Gai when he gaped in horror only to eye her dubiously.
So on their way out of the cave and back to their camp they passed by the place Hidan was laying as he waited for his partner, and like Sakura said he was still screaming curse words "Jashin fucking damn it" Hidan bellowed.
Gai looked massively confused but Itachi seemed relieved as they started in the direction of Konohagakure "I'm not sure I understand why you captured just me, surely Hidan would be of more use seeing as he's immortal" Itachi frowned.
Unable to see a way out of his current situation "Cut the act Itachi, we know, and he's going to spy in your place" Kakashi announced, scanning his surroundings warily because none of them could be sure if any of the others were hiding and waiting to ambush them.
"But Third's orders….he promised to protect Sasuke from Danzo" Itachi spluttered, worried that something had happened that they were bringing him back to the village after five years of being an Akatsuki spy.
Ahead of him Sakura craned her neck to meet his gaze "Danzo can do jack now Itachi-san what with having his chakra sealed, the multiple sharingan he'd implanted into himself removed and being thrown into a high security prison" Sakura declared.
Itachi's eyes grew wide in response right as he got a truly good look at her and noticed the beaded necklace of the circle with an upside down triangle in it around her neck "I see, that doesn't excuse me from the various crimes I've committed however" Itachi reminded.
"Perhaps not but we have an edge on our side, after what Sand did during the Chunin exam I highly doubt the Kazekage will refuse to help us revoke your status as a criminal, nor will the Raikage who we helped a month ago to track down his brother" Naruto chimed in.
Kakashi nodding all the while "Exactly and with three of the Kage it won't matter if the other two refuse, they'd be overruled" Kakashi pointed out, relieved that they could even call on such favors with two of the other Kage in power.
Leaving Itachi very little to argue about as they had pretty much covered every angle so far "Otouto won't be very happy to see me so it's best if I'm kept far away from him" Itachi sighed, there was one thing he'd never be forgiven for after all.
And that was murdering nearly his entire clan while leaving his brother alive to someday kill him "I wouldn't worry to much about Sasuke-san, he seems to be quite youthful" Gai informed, remaining on the lookout.
Itachi furrowed his brow but kept silent as they walked, all through the rest of the afternoon, until late into the evening past dinner and finally the gates of Konohagakure came into view where after signing he was ushered down the streets to the Tower.
Until he was stood before the Fourth Hokage "Itachi Uchiha welcome back…I'm sure you've been told but Hidan from the Akatsuki will be taking your place as the spy in the organization and once we have permission your S class status as a rogue will be revoked" Minato greeted.
Launching into his prepared speech "After you'll be put on parole for 3 months under anbu guard before receiving a new headband, for the first 3 months upon becoming an active shinobi again you'll primarily undertake C and B rank missions inside the village until I say otherwise is that understood" Minato finished.
"Understood Lord Hokage" Itachi bowed his head at the blonde seated behind the desk, Minato nodded in relief then waved dismissively at them, unfortunately it didn't look like he had much of a choice in where he stayed.
Because immediately he was taken to a large house in a forest, something he hadn't really expected and showed to one of the various guest rooms, imagine Itachi's surprise when someone he thought he'd never see again entered the room he chose.
"So yeah there's a lot we have to talk about huh Itachi" Shisui grimaced seeing his best friends reaction to him, Itachi looked like he was in unbearable agony but he also sat and listened to everything he had say until he'd gotten everything off his chest.
The next morning Sakura was called into the Hokage's office and she clearly knew what the reason was for "I need you to run to Sand and Cloud and get this message to Rasa and Ay, I hate taking advantage of your well condition but I won't have any of my shinobi dying on me" Minato explained.
Feeling like a terrible father "Dad, just believe in me okay, I'll get there and back in the least amount of time as possible" Sakura assured taking the message and securing it safely in her storage pouch.
Before bolting from his office to his amusement and twenty minutes later she was exiting the village "Alright lets see how this works…..ninja art: summoning jutsu" Sakura stopped three miles outside the village.
In a poof of smoke the white furred female wolf was before her "My name is Ivory how may I assist you Sakura-sama" Ivory introduced bowing before her summoner as this was the first time any of them had summoned.
"Ivory-chan I need you to get me to Suna and Kumo in the least amount of time possible and back to my village in that same time frame" Sakura requested, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waited for Ivory to answer.
She did by kneeling down "Climb onto my back and hold on tight Sakura-sama" Ivory said once her summoner was on her back she took off becoming a literal blur, there was a rift ahead of her and she charged straight for it.
Jumping into the portal "Ahhh what's going on Ivory what is this" Sakura yelled in shock, as everything became pitch black on her, though she could tell that Ivory was still moving she couldn't see a bloody thing at all.
"A portal Sakura-sama it is my gift to see rifts in the world and use them to reach places faster, if you'd like please partake of some of my blood and chakra, which would then enable you to see what I'm able to" Ivory explained.
Not really wanting to be blind for the entirety of the trip Sakura quickly nicked the wolf with a kunai and ingested her blood and took some chakra to assimilate into herself and suddenly everything became much clearer.
Like a light being turned on, Sakura's eyes filled with wonder at the new possibilities that had just been revealed to her "Where do all these paths lead Ivory-chan" Sakura inquired seeing the different roads leading in every which direction there was.
Ivory howled her amusement "All places in the world of course Sakura-sama, this one however will take us directly to Sunagakure as you requested, as a matter of fact we're nearly there" Ivory announced.
Seeing the portals exit with a mighty leap they were half a mile away from Hidden Sand though it was obvious a good few hours had passed while they were traveling through the portal so it wasn't without it's disadvantages.
Though Sakura was still grateful as Ivory poofed away back to Jashin's garden in a plume of smoke while she continued on to the Sand Village and who would be guarding the entrance of the village, none other than Temari of course.
Who stared at her before grinning "Look who came to visit, not saying I don't appreciate the constant letters but still it's nice seeing you Sakura" Temari greeted when the pinkette came trotting up to her.
Sakura smiled brightly "I wish it was just for a pleasure visit Temari-chan but I've got a mission that involves getting this message to Lord Kazekage as quickly as possible" the rosette informed hating to burst the blondes bubble.
Temari sighed "Figures, alright lets get you all signed in" Temari said, rushing through the customs to give Sakura clearance into the village and once in Sakura hauled ass towards the Kazekage Tower.
Only to hit a snag "You'll just have to wait, Kazekage-sama is doing important paperwork at the moment and doesn't need to be bothered" the secretary announced, being said snag even after being told that it was an emergency.
"Pinky what are you doing here" Kankuro called out to her from behind her and Sakura was never so glad to see him as she shot the Kazekage's secretary a glare and marched over to the man's oldest son and told him the situation.
Which got her through to Rasa's office after fifteen minutes of arguing with the woman who was clearly not happy that she was being let through "Sakura-san what brings you to my village this time" Rasa frowned when she entered his office.
She blew out a breath "From Hokage-sama" Sakura stated, handing him the missive after rifling through her pouch for it, Rasa took it and carefully read over what was written before looking at her with a quirked auburn brow.
All was quiet in the office "Tell me why I should agree to such insanity as revoking that mans criminal status" Rasa demanded as he laced his fingers together in front of his face, wanting to hear what arguments she'd come up with.
"Itachi deserves to live a normal life, after all he's done in service of Konohagakure, does he not deserve the chance to prove himself as more than just a criminal Kazekage-sama or will you deny him that right to find peace after five years of suffering on orders of Lord Third" Sakura asked.
Eerie green orbs boring into his hazel ones with such intensity that Rasa very nearly looked away but he held her gaze as he began speaking "Hmm I suppose we of Sand do owe it to Leaf to agree to your request" the Kazekage relented in the next moment.
Finding no reason to argue when it hadn't been his intention, he just hadn't thought she'd make a convincing comeback really proving how much she'd changed in the past two months since leaving Sunagakure.
Her shoulders sagged in relief at his answer "Did you think I'd refuse…I don't blame you, but remember you did us quite a few favors so I'm obligated, just know this makes us even now" Rasa smirked, not surprised when she nodded.
The intensity faded from her eyes some "Of course Kazekage-sama, may I have the missive back, I have one more stop to make before I can head back home and I'll need that" Sakura requested, popping back up from her bow.
Rasa quirked his brow at her again but handed over the missive, Sakura was halfway to the door when he sent his gold dust to block it while he made a hand sign to sound proof the room and she turned to eye him in confusion.
No longer fearing him as she sighed but waited for whatever he wanted and padded forward when he gestured her to "Were you aware that there is another chakra sitting uselessly within your chakra network" the Kazekage leaned forward until his lips were touching the shell of her ear .
Sakura shivered lightly in response "Quite aware Lord Kazekage, I have yet to figure out a way to get rid of it" Sakura nodded, not moving an inch and inwardly wondering when she'd gotten use to the Kazekage's constant need to invade her personal space.
He narrowed his eyes before chuckling "If I'd known you were into brands I would have given you one of my own long ago" Rasa murmured into her ear, teasing her and Sakura jerked away from him reflexively.
But he didn't let her run from him instead lifted her onto his desk after clearing some space for her to sit, Sakura was none to happy about it as she frowned deeply at him "Kazekage-sama I have a mission I really need to get back to" the pinkette reminded uselessly.
As he raised her skirt and stroked her thigh "Relax...tell me something Sakura-san, your quite adept at seals correct, is there one that would allow me to alert you of trouble and vice versa allowing each of us to come to the others aide faster without waiting" Rasa questioned.
Green eyes widened "That's pretty genius I wonder why I never thought of it myself, as to your question yes there is, but it would take time to adapt that I don't have right now" Sakura informed earning a sigh.
"Pity, perhaps when you have some time off, you could come back under the guise of visiting my children seeing as you four are friends" the Kazekage suggested "For now however….I'll leave you with this" Rasa smirked.
Hazel eyes flickering downwards where his hand rested on her thigh and quick as a snake he had his seal on her flesh "Mind you it's just ink so it will come off whenever you bathe but it's a small victory for me that I've marked you" the redheaded Kage shrugged.
Despite her glare, "I'm leaving now" the rosette announced, when he scooted his chair back allowing her space to hop down from his desk and a few seconds later she was gone out the door and walking briskly towards the exit of the village.
Where she signed out with Temari and walked the half mile back to the spot the portal was rubbing her thigh vigorously in hopes to scrub the ink off her skin "Asshole" Sakura scowled when the seal refused to come off.
Indicating he'd used permanent ink, within her conscious Jashin chuckled 'How brazen of you to call the Kazekage such insulting names my child, on that note, Hidan has been retrieved by his partner' Jashin informed before his presence faded some.
She could still feel him but not as much, with that Sakura summoned Ivory again "To Kumo correct Sakura-sama…then climb on, we'll make haste towards the village at once" Ivory asked, kneeling down so that Sakura could sit astride her back.
And a second later Ivory had jumped through the rift that only the two of them could see, this time however Ivory started running in a different direction than before which led towards Hidden Cloud, by the time they arrived, night had already fallen.
But in spite of her growling stomach Sakura marched the half mile that remained between her and Kumogakure "Who goes there" what she didn't expect when she reached the gates was to have a kunai nearly jab her in the eye.
"Sakura Haruno…I was one of the shinobi that helped Raikage-sama track down his brother Bee-san a month ago there is a matter of importance I must speak about with him" Sakura declared, speaking more formally than usual.
The gate guards scoffed and refused her entrance "No Leaf Dogs allowed" they sneered, meanwhile all the way across the village in his shared apartment with Darui, Cee felt his chakra outside the village.
Which meant that Sakura was near "Go inform Raikage-sama that we have a visitor from Leaf" Cee said to his partner as he focused on that chakra he hadn't felt in a month and in a puff of smoke he was before the gates.
Like he thought Sakura was there "Cee tell this Leaf Dog to go away, she's been demanding entrance to see Lord Raikage for the past five minutes and I'm ready to kill her if she doesn't leave" the gate guard growled.
Cee held up his hand "Allow her to sign in, this is non-negotiable" the blonde ordered and Sakura nearly sighed in relief as the two guards grudgingly held out the sign in list for her to scribble her name on and a moment later she was stood inside Kumogakure.
"Raikage-sama should already know we have a guest so I'll personally escort you to him Sakura-san" Cee informed, grasping her arm gently to direct Sakura down the streets to the Raikage Tower.
Sakura was never more grateful towards him than in that moment "Thank you Cee-san, I wish I didn't come solely on business but that's what I'm here" Sakura explained, looking exhausted, apparently there was more than one disadvantage to rifts than she thought.
He smiled down at her kindly and opened his mouth to say something when "Kid is that really you, where's your teammates I thought they were velcroed to your hips" Darui cut him off unknowingly as he walked towards them.
Just as they entered the tower, "Ah well things have calmed down some back home so I don't need to have them glued to my side nearly twenty-four seven now" Sakura laughed sheepishly knowing that she must have seemed like an overprotective mother hen to him.
Darui chuckled and ruffled her hair "Anyway you can go right on in, Boss is waiting for you" Darui informed, pointing at the closed office door, Sakura extracted her arm from Cee's light grip and stalked determinedly down the hall towards the Raikage's Office.
Knocked on it even despite being told she could just go in and a moment later she was shutting the door behind her "Real gutsy brat aint'cha, so what did you come here for, I know it's not for some tour of the other great villages so don't you dare lie to me" Ay barked.
Sakura rifled through her pouch then presented a missive to him that he took and read over carefully as if it might explode on him "Is this some sort of joke, Namikaze can't possibly think I'd agree to such bullshit" Ay sneered.
Balling up the missive and throwing it, it bounced off Sakura's forehead before she caught it "There are many things you don't know Raikage-sama, such as his reasoning for asking such a thing" Sakura admitted.
Staying calm despite Ay's growing anger and she knew the same argument wouldn't work on the Raikage as it did on the Kazekage "Tell me then, what's Namikaze's reasoning, make a good argument brat I dare you" Ay snarled.
Outside in the hall both Cee and Darui wondered what had been said that had their leader pissed off like he currently was "Everything Itachi did was on Lord Thirds orders, he was just doing his duty as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village" Sakura announced.
Ay paused in his raving and tilted his head indicating he was listening "The Uchiha were planning a coup d'etat and Lord Third ordered Itachi to kill his clan and join Akatsuki to spy on them and leak information on their movements" Sakura continued.
"Dad wants to give Itachi a chance to make amends where he doesn't have to suffer with the guilt of massacring his entire clan barring his brother Sasuke any longer, only we can't make that happen without approval from other Kage" Sakura explained.
Not sure if it was enough as the Raikage stared at her "Who else brat did you ask, in order to revoke someones criminal status you have to have approval from at least three Kage so who else" Ay demanded to know.
And she answered "The Kazekage, seeing as he attempted his own coup during the Chunin Exams, not to mention asked me and my teammates to help fend off an attack from bandits on his village, he owed us, you have no obligations I know but I was sent to ask anyway" Sakura stated.
His lip curled in response "Your wrong brat, given the fact that you helped us search for Bee I do owe Leaf a favor so after this consider our debt payed and Namikaze better not send you to ask for anymore requests" Ay growled eventually.
Sakura smiled brightly like the cheeky brat she was only to wince when her stomach rumbled loudly complaining about the lack of sustenance "Hehehe sorry" Sakura blushed, completely embarrassed.
The Raikage rolled his eyes "Stay with Cee and Darui for the night, you can leave in the morning and damn it brat make sure you eat something I don't want to hear rumors about how I let a guest starve to death in my village got it" Ay snapped at her.
Sending the brat scrambling from his office, the girl bowing all the while, having heard the order Darui and Cee simply led her to their apartment and graciously fed her even "Time for bed then" Darui chuckled.
Once Sakura had eaten her fill and she'd begun yawning tiredly "Come on Sakura-san I have a spare futon in my closet that you can sleep on" Cee said, pressing his hands lightly to her shoulders and walking her down the hall to his room.
Where he pulled out the futon, fifteen minutes later Sakura was snoring softly under the duvet, his lips curved upwards and before Cee realized it he was knelt at her side, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead only to afterwards go to sleep himself.
The next morning after a hearty breakfast Sakura left Kumogakure and five hours later past lunch time Sakura was half a mile away from Leaf, needless to say Minato was surprised to see her back just a day after her departure.
"Both the Raikage and Kazekage agree to your request to revoke Itachi-san's S class criminal status Hokage-sama, before you ask I have a summons I got from you know who one of which has a gift that allowed for extremely speedy travelling" Sakura informed.
Minato pinched the bridge of his nose "I'm not sure whether I should be frustrated or amused really but good job Sakura-chan go home and rest you deserve it" Minato laughed exasperatedly as he sent her home.
And twenty minutes later, after eating a late lunch Sakura had Chishi wound around her shoulders as she oohed and awed over Chimei's babies that had started hatching before lounging lazily on the couch for the rest of the day until bed time.